From September 9 (the Wednesday after
Labor Day) to Sunday, September 13, 2009 TIGHAR will conduct a Field School
focused on a Douglas B-23 Dragon that crashed on the shore of Loon Lake in
the Payette National Forest of northern Idaho in 1943. The aircraft is one
of the most intact historic aircraft wrecks in the United States and was the
subject of a TIGHAR Field School in July 2000 (see Loon
Lake).
During that survey we discovered that significant portions of the airframe
had recently been cut away and removed. Upon further inquiry we learned that
representatives of the U.S. Air Force Museum (now the National Museum of
the United States Air Force) had done the damage to salvage parts for use
as templates in reconstructing a B-23 for the museum. At that time, we expressed
concern that the removal of the structural components would lead to more
rapid deterioration of the wreck. Nine years later, TIGHAR will return to
Loon Lake to examine and document the condition of the aircraft. The data
collected during this survey will be valuable in assessing the effects over
time of dismemberment and parts salvage on historic crash sites.

TIGHAR members who complete the Field School will have the letters CE appended
to their membership numbers signifying that they have completed the Aviation
Archaeology Course and are Expedition Qualified. The CE designation is a
required for a member to be eligible for selection as a Project Team Member
for Earhart project expeditions. This will be the only Field School prior
to Niku VI.

It’s a five mile hike over established trails from the trailhead to
Loon Lake. Some of the terrain is fairly steep. Participants should be in
good enough physical condition to backpack their own gear to the campsite.
Tents and food will be packed in by an outfitter.

Enrollment is limited to 20 individuals – first come, first served.
All registrants will sign standard liability releases.

Tuition includes:

All transportation (except airfare)

Hotel on 9/9 & 9/10

Lunch on 9/10

Tents and all meals in the field

Payment:

$500 non-fundable registration fee payable by August 15.

$1,100 balance to be paid by August 31.

$100 discount if full amount ($1,500) is paid by August 15.

See you in Idaho!

Full Report Pending.

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